***Very OT*** CHRISTMAS ***OT***

Exactly what I was saying when Lucille jumped in and accused me of being a misery-guts! Thank goodness that someone else is thinking of the awful waste, when most countries are trying to cut down on harmful emissions - even George Bush seems to be coming round to that way of thinking from what I`ve seen and heard lately.

Pat P

Okay everybody sing: In the Jungle, the quiet jungle the lion sleeps tonight

Eh--Weemoweh, weemoweh, weemoweh, weemoweh

Before anyone corrects the spelling I'm guilty. I have no idea how to spell those words.

Lucille

Pat, since you profess to have me kill filed, don't you think you might leave me out of your messages? It's really very tacky of you to keep using me to make brownie points.

Now that's a mama I know I would like lol

O ye of little taste. Ever really listened to the words ??? They don't make the slightest bit of sense.

Yeah, you would have liked her just fine. And she you.

Elizabeth

Wish I had never mentioned that damned song, blech!

Mareseydotes and doseydotes to you. Have some more wine.

Elizabeth

I buy/make my grandchildren Christmas gifts in the memory of the Wisemen who brought gifts to the baby Jesus

If shopkeepers remind me that a certain holiday such as Easter or Christmas is near, and lay out special sales to tempt me, they had better complete the act and include the words "Christmas" or "Easter" in their ads and store placards.

If there were no Easter or Christmas (I'm a Christian, this is my example) there would be no reason to buy at those times.

There are many other holidays in the year that shopkeepers lay out ads to temp folk into buying their wares. They give the reason. I have no bone to pick with them.

I wish the other religions whose celebrations seem to be ignored would let us know so we all can wish them the best on those occasions. I also would have no objection to decorating the public square in the theme of those holidays, the same as we do for Christmas and Easter

Barbara T

Since those solar-powered yard, marker, and patio lights have become so popular I wonder why no one has majorly marketed solar Christmas lights. A huge selling point would be you don't have to have a convenient outlet or run power cords all over your yard in order to use them. Such a product has to be possible.

Affordable technology isn't there yet. The lights you mention are LED lights (to use less power) and only include a few LEDs and they're still often underpowered. Without huge (or very expensive) solar panels, you're not going to get enough power to run full strands of light.

Best wishes, Ericka

Ahhh, but our "leaders" who perpetrated this situation are not asking our nation to sacrifice. And I'm confused. Aren't we suppose to be showing solidarity for our troops? Supporting them? How do I do that?

Because it's time to do so. We screwed up.

I understand how you feel. But there are other issues besides the war. There is global reasons for our spendthrift ways. Tia Mary mentioned that it only cost her $10 additional. Well, add that up to every household. That's a lot of moolah.

I guess I don't understand how we can ask our country to spend billions on a war, and support our troops, yet not ask us for any sacrifice.

I don't disagree with you. I'm just asking the question. I don't know how this nation can support our leaders and then go about their business as if nothing is different. You bet. The sacrifices in Iraq have been tremendous. But we're not talking about it. We're lighting up our houses and celebrating as if nothing is going on. We're sucking up fuel as if there were no global problems with fuel consumption.

Dianne

What a good idea - wonder why no one has thought of it. We have a few of those solar lights in the garden all year round - in fact a couple need replacing. I love the effect, even after a day that hasn`t been particularly sunny!

Pat P

Well said, Dianne - it`s a real shame that more don`t think about that aspect, not just the greedy fuel consumption, but the mess the results of it`s use is making of the world - not to mention the ever expanding population, but that`s ANOTHER story. Is it any wonder that some of us get annoyed about it?

The Chinese had the right idea - only one child per family without financial penalty. We have it all wrong here, at least - the more kids you have the more the government pays you!

Pat P

My thermostat is at 85 all summer (which means it doesn't go on unless the outdoor temperature hits 100). It goes down to 78 at 11 PM for better sleeping.

Excellent idea - fantastic suggestion lol